Page 15 of Bad Crush
“I’m sorry if I don’t wait until the last minute to do everything.”
“As opposed to doing it three weeks before the professor assigns it and then having to redo it because it was wrong.”
“That was one time, and I was going out of town. I was trying to work ahead.” She throws her arms up.
“Admit it, Janine. We’re different and that’s fine. Your speech is totally you and I’m sure it’s great. I’m just not sure that’s the format I want to go with. Maybe going different directions is best. It’ll show them who we are at our core.”
“Maybe. Just as long as you don’t get up there and regale them with tales of your heroic performance on the hockey team.”
“Dr. Salco hates hockey, so I doubt that would help me.” Something about it being responsible for too many injuries, yadda yadda. I mean, that’s why we wear pads and helmets.
“All right. Will you at least read over my speech and let me know if it sounds okay?”
“Of course. Email it to me. I’ll send you mine when I figure out what I’m going to write.”
“I’ll be looking for it the day before the banquet then.” Janine starts to gather her stuff into her backpack. So much for getting together to prepare. But I have a better idea of what I don’t want to do now. “Are you going to the mixer?”
“Haven’t decided. You?”
She shrugs. That’s a yes.
“What else do you think they’ll be judging us on?” she asks as we take the stairs to the first floor.
“Everything, probably. Are you bringing a date to the banquet?”
“My boyfriend, Sean, is coming with me. What about you?”
“Nah. I think I’ll fly solo for the event unless my sister wants to tag along or something.”
She frowns.
“What?”
“I could be wrong, but I get the feeling Dr. Salco likes that I’m in a serious relationship. She told me once that the only reason she got through school without being evicted from her apartment for forgetting to pay rent or utilities was because her husband took over the bills and everything else so she could concentrate only on studying.”
“She told you that? That’s so personal. Also, I can’t picture her young or married.”
“The professors pat you on the back for a good game, and they let personal things slip to me. We each have our secret weapons.”
“Well, thanks for the tidbit. I’ll take my chances. Maybe they’ll think being single is a pro for me—fewer distractions.”
Janine looks behind me and smiles. “Heads up,” she says without switching her gaze.
I open up my stance to Dr. Salco coming along our path.
“Good to see you both. Did you get my email?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Janine says.
“I included the details for the mixer tomorrow night. It isn’t mandatory, but it might be nice to get to know the committee before giving your speeches at the banquet next month.”
I nod. “We’re looking forward to it.”
Dr. Salco smiles that pursed-lip upturn that I can never quite read. “Will your boyfriend be joining you? I so enjoyed getting to meet him at the department party. He reminds me a lot of my Michael. Having a support system is so important when you’re in medical school. It can be really overwhelming.”
“He will be there, and I agree,” Janine says, smiling smugly at me.
“And you, Adam? Will you be bringing a date? A partner, friend, or family member are all welcome.” Dr. Salco looks to me expectantly.
